Braves Notebook

Hernandez takes DH role vs. lefty

Posted: Tuesday, October 26, 1999

NEW YORK -- Bobby Cox will use Jose Hernandez as the DH tonight against Andy Pettitte and Keith Lockhart in Game 4 against Roger Clemens. Lockhart has handled the job before during interleague play, but it's a first for Hernandez, who planned to huddle with hitting coach Don Baylor and discuss how to prepare.

''I'll just try and keep myself warm and try and find a place to hit and keep loose,'' he said. ''The thing is, it's probably going to be tough doing it for the first time. I know we've had trouble scoring runs, so I'm going to try and be patient at the plate and get on base anyway I can.''

Cox admitted the Yankees have an advantage in the DH department because neither Hernandez or Lockhart is the typical slugger type.

''Our DH may get a home run, but likely they will hit a double or a single,'' Cox said.

No more backups

Cox will return to his normal lineup against a left-hander, meaning Walt Weiss will be back at shortstop, Bret Boone will play second and Brian Hunter will man first base.

As far as meeting with the team before tonight's game, Cox suggested he was considering saying something.

''We've always had some meetings when we got down,'' he said. ''I may have one, I don't know. We can't play any harder, we can't try any harder. At this point, I don't really know what to say, except a few chinkers (hits) here and there might help.''

Extra work in cage

The club's lack of hitting has left Cox and Baylor feeling frustrated and helpless. Baylor gave each hitter five minutes' worth of swings during Monday's workout, but at this point in the season, there's not a lot of time to be making major adjustments.

''I think Gerald (Williams) plays a big role and we need Ryan Klesko and Andruw Jones,'' Cox said. ''They have real good power, but we haven't seen it lately. If they could get hot, things could swing very quickly.''

Baylor a big wheel

Asked what impact Baylor has had on him this season, Chipper Jones smiled and said, ''He's my best friend. He's on my Christmas card list. I'm going to buy him a Maserati.''

Jones, who finished with a career-high 45 homers and will be named the National League's MVP next month, says Baylor's aggressive attitude during a conversation on the first day of spring training convinced him to adopt a new approach to his right-handed swing.

''To this point, it's probably the most important conversation I've had in my career,'' Jones said.